SYSTEM FOR SUPPRESSING SOUND FROM A FLAME

Abstract: A system for suppressing sound from a flame comprises a detector for detecting a first signal which emanates from the flame (12). A photo sensor (18) rapidly detects the noise from the flame. The first signal is inverted (22) to produce a second signal. The second signal is applied to the flame for cancelling the sound produced by the flame. Preferably, an electric arc (35) is produced between a cathode (30) positioned in the flame and an anode (32) positioned around the flame. The electric arc is modulated by the second signal.

Description: TITLE: SYSTEM FOR SUPPRESSING SOUND FROM A FLAME BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a method and system fo expeditiously reducing noise from a flame. 2. Description of the Related Art Unwanted acoustic sound has negative effects on human and animals. Some of the negative effects of unwanted nois include damage to hearing, creating an inefficient work environmen and inducing dangerous vibrations in buildings. Conventiona methods for reducing the sound intensity of noise include passiv and active noise control. Prior art passive noise control systems include usin sound absorbent materials around the source of the noise. The us of sound absorbent material has the disadvantage that the materia is expensive and the material is ineffective for lower frequencies. In addition, passive noise control systems are not suitable for flame environment. Conventional active noise control systems attenuat undesirable noise in the form of acoustic waves by producing an superimposing noise canceling waves which are substantially equa in amplitude and frequency content, but shifted 180 degrees i phase with respect to the noise. A speaker produces the cancelin waves or vibrations. U.S. patent No. 2,043,416 describes an active contro system for silencing sound oscillations of sound waves travellin through the air. A microphone receives a sound wave travellin through the air in one direction. An amplifier connected to th microphone produces sound waves having opposite phase in relatio to the received sound wave. The opposite phase sound waves travel in the same direction as the received sound waves to cause mutual elimination of the two sound waves. U.S. Patent No. 5,146,505 describes a method for actively attenuating engine generated noise. A signal is adaptively filtered to produce a canceling waveform which is superimposed with the engine noise to attenuate selected multiple harmonic noise components. The canceling waveform drives a speaker to generate canceling acoustic waves for superposition with the engine induction noise. It is known that noise is produced by combustion gases in a high intensity flame. However, the inventor is unaware of any systems for accurately and quickly reducing noise produced from a flame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly described the present invention comprises a system for suppressing sound produced by a flame. A first acoustical signal is detected from the flame. The first acoustical signal represents the modulation of the flame. A second acoustical signal is produced which is inverted in relation to the first acoustical signal. The second acoustical signal is applied to th flame to suppress the sound produced by the flame. Preferably, an electric arc is produced between a cathod and an anode for applying the second signal to the flame. In first embodiment, the cathode is placed in the flame and an anod is placed around the flame. In a second embodiment, the anode i placed in the flame and the cathode is placed around the flame. The distance between the cathode and anode can be "altered" to var the length of the electric arc. The longer the electric arc th greater the sound suppression. A photo sensor can be used for detecting the firs acoustical signal. The photo sensor operates at the speed of ligh for rapidly detecting the sound produced by the flame. The invention will be further understood by reference t the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the system for suppressin sound produced by a flame in accordance with the teachings of th present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view of the system of the presen invention in an alternative embodiment. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of an amplifier and inverte used in the present invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION During the course of this description, like numbers wil be used to identify like elements according to the different view that illustrate the invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system for reducing soun produced by a flame 12 in accordance with the teachings of th present invention. Flame 12 is typically produced by a fuel sourc 13. For example, flame 12 can be produced by a welding torc fueled by acetylene and oxygen. Preferably, flame 12 is produce by high velocity gases in order to produce a flame with hig intensity. Flame 12 can be used in a jet propulsion engine, a ho air balloon, a gas furnace, a gas range and a welding torch. I addition, flame 12 can be used in an oil burner. An oil burne typically produces a yellow flame. Recycled unspent carbon gase from the flame of the oil burner can be used to increase th intensity of the flame and to produce a blue flame. The blue flam produces a loud sound. Photo sensor 18 detects fluctuation in light emitted fro flame 12. Photo sensor 18 detects light emitted from flame 12 a the speed of light. The rate of fluctuation of flame 12 is in th audio range and produces a modulation of the sound produced fro flame 12. The rate of fluctuation can be in the range of 20 hert to 20,000 hertz. Photo sensor 18 expeditiously produces a signa S 1 having the modulation of flame 12. The louder the sound th greater the suppression of the sound. The sound can be suppresse up to 25 db. Preferably, the sound is suppressed so that no soun is emitted from flame 12. Other acoustical wave sensor devices can be used t detect fluctuation in light emitted from flame 12. For example, a acoustic transducer, a microphone or a pressure sensitive devic could be used to detect light emitted from flame 12. However, th acoustical wave sensor devices may have the disadvantage o operating at a slower speed than photo sensor 18. Amplifier 20 amplifies receiver signal S r Preferably, amplifier 20 adjusts the gain of signal S_, from 1 to 50. Output 2 from amplifier 20 is applied to inverter 22. Inverter 22 invert signal S 1 to produce signal S 2 . Signal S 2 has the same amplitud and frequency as signal S_, and is 180° out of phase of signal S 1 fo cancelling the sound produced by flame 12. Amplifier 24 amplifie signal S 2 . Audio output transformer 26 is used to couple powe supply 28 to amplifier 24, cathode 30 and anode 32. Preferably, transformer 26 is an audio output transformer used in "reverse" t step up secondary windings to the higher voltage. Power supply 28 is connected through primary windings to cathode 30 and anode 32. Lead 27 connects transformer 26 to cathode 30 and lead 29 connects transformer 26 to anode 32. Current can be applied between less than 1 amperes and 80 kiloamperes to produce electric arc 35. Cathode 30 is positioned adjacent or in flame 12. Preferably, cathode 30 is placed in flame 12. Anode 32 surround flame 12. Current is applied to cathode 30 which is modulated b signal S 2 . An electric arc 35 is produced between cathode 30 an anode 32 which inversely modulates sound produced by flame 1 Preferably, cathode 30 and anode 32 are formed from tungsten. The distance between cathode 30 and anode 32 can adjusted to vary the length of electrical arc 35. It has be found that a longer electric arc 35 can suppress a louder soun Longer wavelength lower frequencies require a longer arc an therefore, a longer distance is needed between cathode 30 and ano 32. Preferably, electric arc 35 is between 8 mm and 15 m long. In this embodiment, current flows from cathode 30 anode 32 in the direction of flame 12 for canceling out the sou produced by flame 12. In an alternative embodiment, anode 40 positioned adjacent or in flame 12 and cathode 42 surrounds fla 12, as shown in Fig. 2. In this embodiment current flows in t opposite direction of flame 12. Sound is produced by ionization of ions in flame 12 a by windshear of the high velocity gas in flame 12 as it pass through surrounding stationary air. Flame 12 produces ions whi flow between cathode 30 and anode 32. Ionization of flame 12 c be improved by supplying a wick feeding alkaline earth metals suc as cesium, rubidium, potassium, and sodium as carbonates i solution to flame 12 for increasing ionization and thereby allowin more current to flow between cathode 30 and anode 32. Electric ar 35 impresses a voltage between cathode 30 and anode 32 through th fiow of ions. Modulation by signal S 2 for current supplied b cathode 30 produces either a positive flow of ions from cathode 3 to anode 32 or little or no flow of ions between cathode 30 an anode 32. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an amplifier 20 an inverter 22 which can be used in the present invention. Phot detector 18 includes a npn transistor 52 for producing signal S from the light detected from flame 12. Operational amplifier 5 adjusts the gain. Preferably, the gain is adjusted from 1 to 50 Operational amplifier 58 inverts signal S., to produce signal S 2 . The major elements which comprise the electronics of th invention are set forth in the Parts List below. Parts Description Designation Board P.C. Board B 1 Res. 10 K 10% R 1 , R 2 , R^, R 5 Res. 500 K 10% R 3 CAP 0.1 UFD c r c 3 Photo-sensor Motorola MRD- -810, 52 MRD-3050 Audio Transformer 24S77 26 It will be appreciated that digital processing technique known in the art can be used for producing signal S 1 and signal S which is out of phase by 180° from signal S_, The present invention provides the advantage o expeditiously detecting and suppressing sound from a flame. Detection of the sound is performed at the speed of light. A electric arc modulates the flame to produce a signal 180° out o phase for canceling the sound produced by the flame. The presen invention does not use a speaker for applying the waveform, whic system may not be as accurate or fast as the system of the presen invention. While the invention has been described with reference t the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by thos of ordinary skill in the art that modifications can be made to th structure and functions of the system without departing from th spirit and scope of the invention as a whole.

Claims: I CLAIM : 1. A system for suppressing sound produced by a flam comprising: means for detecting a first acoustical signal from sai flame; means for producing a second acoustical signal which i inverted in relation to said first acoustical signal; and means for applying said second acoustical signal to sai flame to cause a suppression of said sound produced by said flame. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means fo applying said second acoustical waveform comprises: a cathode; and an anode; and an electric arc, said electric arc is produced between said cathode and said anode, said electric arc is modulated by said second acoustical signal. 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said means for producing a second acoustical signal further comprises: an amplifier for amplifying said detected first acoustical signal; and an inverter for inverting said first acoustical signal into said inverted second acoustical signal. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means fo detecting said first acoustical signal comprises: a photo sensor for detecting said first acoustica signal. 5. The system of claim 4 wherein said flame is forme of high velocity gas. 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said photo senor is NPN transistor. 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said cathode is place in said flame and said anode is placed around said flame, sai electrical arc flows in the direction of said flame. 8. The system of claim 6 wherein said anode is placed i said flame and said cathode is placed around said flame and sai electrical arc flows in the direction opposite of the direction o said flame. 9. The system of claim 1 wherein said flame is produce by a jet propulsion engine. 10. The system of claim 1 wherein said flame is produce by a welding torch. 11. The system of claim 1 wherein said flame is produce by an oil burner. 12. The system of claim 1 wherein said flame is produce by a gas furnace. 13. The system of claim 1 wherein said flame is produce by a hot air balloon. 14. A method for suppressing sound produced by a flam comprising the steps of: detecting a first acoustical signal from said flame; producing a second acoustical signal which is inverted i relation to said first acoustical signal; and applying said second acoustical signal to said flame to cause a reduction of said sound produced by said flame. 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of applyin said second acoustical signal comprises: applying said second acoustical signal between a cathode and an anode to produce an electric arc which is modulated by sai second acoustical signal. 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of: amplifying said detected first acoustical signal. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said first acoustica signal is detected with a photo sensor.

Inventors: GREENHALGH WILLIAM, GREENHALGH, WILLIAM
Applicants: GREENHALGH WILLIAM, GREENHALGH, WILLIAM
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H03B29
IPC codes: G10K11, H03B29